DILI, 04 March 2025 (TATOLI) – The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (UN-SRSG) on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, met with the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, to discuss strengthening national commitment and collaboration to address all forms of violence against children in Timor-Leste.
Prime Minister Gusmão recognized that there are violations of children’s rights happening in Timor-Leste, stating the presence of Najat Maalla M’jid will help the government define a strategy to reduce and address this issue in the country.
Meanwhile, Najat Maalla M’jid commended the government’s efforts in making significant progress in developing child protection laws, strengthening systems, and implementing justice sector reforms to ensure that all children have equal access to quality protection services: “You did it very well to end all forms of violence against children.”
She said that violence against children has many forms and occurs in many settings: “It occurs in schools, at home, in the community, and online.”
“I am here to work closely with them (UN Country Team) to translate Timor-Leste’s commitment into concrete actions and services that will be easily accessible to children,” said M’jid after the meeting with Prime Minister Gusmão at the Government Palace in Dili today. “We can put an end to violence against children. It’s possible and we can make it.”
Meanwhile, UNICEF in Timor-Leste applauds the Government’s current commitment to join The Pathfinding Global Alliance, a group of 41 who are committed to accelerate efforts to end all forms of violence against children by 2030.
The meeting was attended by the UN Resident Coordinator in Timor-Leste, Funmi Balogun, WHO representative, Arvind Mathur, UNICEF representative, Patrizia DiGiovanni, and the President of INDDICA, Dinorah Granadeiro.
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